HC Deb 25 November 1987 vol 123 c192W
Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to calculate expenditure levels for metropolitan fire and civil defence authorities for 1988–89 by reference to original respective redetermination submissions for 1987–88, updated for inflation and other committed expenditure.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

No.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the figures for(a) expenditure levels and (b) grant-related expenditure assessments for each metropolitan fire and civil defence authority; if he will list the factors which account for the difference between the two figures for each such authority; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The latest provisional figures for the seven joint fire and civil defence authorities' expenditure levels (ELs) and grant-related expenditure assessments (GREs) for financial year 1988–89, are as follows:—

Fire and civil defence authority 1988–89 GRE (Provisional) £ million 1988–89 EL (Provisional) £ mil/ion
Greater Manchester 38.290 46.799
Merseyside 29.739 31.617
South Yorkshire 17.970 22.314
Tyne and Wear 18.749 22.649
West Midlands 40.534 42.696
West Yorkshire 27.294 36.489
London 142.504 166.775

GRE assessments and expenditure levels have different functions and purposes, and are formulated on different bases. GRE assessments are the method by which block grant is distributed on the basis of principles common to all authorities. Expenditure levels are set as part of the precept limitation process and are intended to reflect the particular circumstances of individual authorities.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following the cancellation of 16 November meeting, he or one of the Ministers in his Department will meet a delegation of representatives of the fire services sub-committee of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities to discuss fire service funding levels for 1988–89.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We are seeking a mutually convenient date on which to hold the postponed meeting, the purpose of which is to discuss expenditure levels and grant related expenditure assessments for the fire and civil defence authorities.